Ham Cooking Time Calculator – How Long to Cook Ham

Calculate how long to cook a ham by selecting the type, cut, and size below.

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How Long Do You Need to Cook a Ham?

Everyone loves a thick, juicy slice of holiday ham, but if you’re the host, do you know how long it takes to cook a ham, what kind to cook, or how much ham to prepare per person?

Here we share all the tips, tricks, and times for cooking a ham to succulent perfection and that your guests will love!

PRO TIP: A working meat thermometer will be your ‘magic wand!’ Always place the probe at the thickest part of the ham and away from the bone when checking temps.

Ham Temperature

First things first; the majority of hams sold are pre-cooked and can technically be served cold right out of their can or vacuum-sealed package, including spiral-cuts. However, when warming a pre-cooked smoked ham, low and slow is the way to go: bake at 325 °F (160 °C) to an internal temperature of 145 °F (63 °C).

Pork products are highly susceptible to a variety of harmful bacteria if undercooked. Look for hams with USDA and FDA-inspected labeling that ensure they were prepared properly. Apply the same baking instructions to an uncooked ham: 325 °F (160 °C) to an internal temperature of 145 °F (63 °C).

A resting period of 15 minutes before slicing allows the juices to recirculate back into the meat. Cover the ham with foil to keep it warm, if necessary.[1]

The USDA states that pre-cooked hams that have been vacuum-sealed in an FDA-inspected facility can be eaten chilled. When reheating a smoked ham, bake at 325 °F (160 °C) to an internal temperature of 140 °F (60 °C).

Ham Cook Time Chart

That’s great, but you might still be wondering how long to cook the ham for to reach a safe temperature. These charts will be your go-to for smoked, cooked, uncooked bone-in, boneless, pre-cooked, shank, shoulder, and spiral-cut hams.

The USDA published the following table of cooking times for various types and cuts of ham.[2] The table is available here in both image and table form.

Chart of cooking times for various cuts of ham, per the USDA
Ham cooking times for various types and cuts, per the USDA.
Cut Size Cooking Time
HOW LONG TO COOK SMOKED HAM (cook-before-eating)
Whole, bone-in 10 – 14 lbs 18 – 20 min/lb
Half, bone-in 5 – 7 lbs 22 – 25 min/lb
Shank or Butt Portion, bone-in 3 – 4 lbs 35 – 40 min/lb
Arm Picnic Shoulder, boneless 5 – 8 lbs 30 – 35 min/lb
Shoulder Roll (Butt), boneless 2 – 4 lbs 35 – 40 min/lb
Bake at 325 °F (160 °C) until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 145 °F (63 °C) – allow to rest 3 min
HOW LONG TO COOK SMOKED HAM (pre-cooked)
Whole, bone-in 10 – 14 lbs 15 – 18 min/lb
Half, bone-in 5 – 7 lbs 18 – 24 min/lb
Arm Picnic Shoulder, boneless 5 – 8 lbs 25 – 30 min/lb
Canned ham, boneless 3 – 10 lbs 15 – 20 min/lb
Vacuum packed, boneless 6 – 12 lbs 10 – 15 min/lb
Spiral cut, whole or half 7 – 9 lbs 10 – 18 min/lb
Bake at 325 °F (160 °C) until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 140 °F (60 °C)
HOW LONG TO COOK FRESH HAM (uncooked)
Whole leg, bone-in 12 – 16 lbs 22 – 26 min/lb
Whole leg, boneless 10 – 14 lbs 24 – 28 min/lb
Half, bone-in 5 – 8 lbs 35 – 40 min/lb
Bake at 325 °F (160 °C) until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 145 °F (63 °C) – allow to rest 3 min

References

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures, https://www.fda.gov/media/107000/download
  2. Food Safety and Inspection Service | USDA, Hams and Food Safety, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/meat/hams-and-food-safety